The carriage wheels groaned beneath the weight of time and travel, and for three days, Saji remained hidden within, slipping in and out of sleep, planning, thinking. He had escaped the hellish underground prison and was now free, but freedom without power was meaningless. In this new world where danger could lurk behind any tree or shadow, Saji knew he couldn't afford to stay weak.
He needed strength—real strength. The kind that would ensure he was never caged again.
By the dawn of the fourth day, with the sun rising like a blade of fire across the horizon, Saji made his move. He slipped food from the carriage into a small leather bag, then leapt off, landing smoothly on the gravel road before sprinting into the dense forest. Leaves crunched beneath his feet as birds scattered at his arrival.
He wasn't just running—he was chasing purpose.
---
For the next several months, the forest became his dojo. Saji built a small shelter out of logs and vines, a modest place hidden under layers of foliage. Then, he began his training.
He started with the Hie Hie no Mi, the Ice-Ice Fruit. With the knowledge of Aokiji etched deep in his mind, Saji replicated his techniques—creating frozen spikes, forming walls of glacial protection, and eventually covering his entire body in ice with but a thought. Every day he pushed further, testing the limits of his control until ice danced on his fingers like extensions of his will.
Once satisfied, he turned to the Moku Moku no Mi, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit. He recalled the marine captain Smoker and his battle styles. Hours became days, days turned to weeks. In time, Saji could disperse into smoke at will, drifting through trees like a phantom.
He didn't stop there.
Next was the Mera Mera no Mi, the Flame-Flame Fruit. Heat scorched the air as he conjured flames from his palms, shaping fireballs and blazing spears. The forest bore witness to his growing power as trees sizzled and ground turned to ash.
Finally, he trained the Goro Goro no Mi—the Lightning-Lightning Fruit. His body surged with electricity, and with each controlled discharge, he gained dominance over thunder itself. In time, he could summon a lightning bolt with a flick of his wrist.
---
After mastering the Devil Fruits, Saji dove into his bloodbending abilities. Animals became his targets—not to kill, but to learn. He manipulated their blood flow, lifting them, moving their limbs, even stopping their hearts temporarily. The control thrilled and terrified him.
His physical training was no less intense:
300 push-ups
300 sit-ups
300 squats
10 kilometers of running from dawn to dusk
He pushed his body until it screamed—and then pushed further.
Next came chakra control. At first, chakra wouldn't cling to his feet. He stumbled off trees dozens of times. But persistence won. Eventually, he could walk up trees and run across water. He then practiced the Clone Jutsu, painstakingly molding his chakra until the illusion became reality.
But training didn't come without danger.
---
One evening, deep in meditation, the bushes rustled.
Saji's eyes snapped open.
Goblins.
A horde of them. Small, ugly creatures with daggers and clubs, snarling and screeching in their foul language.
"I don't have time for this."
Raising his palm, Saji conjured raw lightning—one hundred million volts.
The flash was blinding. The sound? Deafening.
The goblins were incinerated in an instant, their bodies reduced to charred husks before vanishing in sparks of magic. All that remained were small crystals and rusty weapons.
Saji picked the crystals up calmly and stored them in his inventory.
---
After that incident, he knew it was time to expand his skillset.
He ventured to a nearby trader disguised with his shapeshifting powers and purchased ninjutsu scrolls for the four elemental releases: Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind.
He focused on mastering:
Earth Release Techniques
Shadow Clone
Mud Wall
Sand Dance
Rock Pillar Spears
Rock Trail
Tearing Earth Palm
Rock Lodging Destruction
Fire Release Techniques
Great Fireball Technique
Great Fire Destruction
Big Flame Bullet
Crimson Earth Spider
Flame Attack
Great Blaze Ball
Blazing Meteors
Water Release Techniques
Water Clone
Orca Bullet
Bubbles Defense
Water Prison
Water Dragon Bullet
Mastering these took a year of relentless effort.
---
Year 991 of the Holy Era
Location: Beltrum Kingdom Forest, Early Spring
Saji, now eleven years old in this world, stood taller, stronger, sharper. His body had transformed. His aura radiated danger. But today, he found himself in trouble.
A horde of monsters surrounded him—twenty at least. Wolves, boars, and goblins, all snarling with hunger.
Saji's POV:
Damn it. I was just in the middle of training. These bastards really know how to ruin a mood. No point running—I'll blast my way out.
Saji raised his hand. Lightning surged—a billion volts this time. Thunder roared.
The monsters didn't even get to scream.
Their bodies exploded into ash, vanishing into the wind, leaving only shimmering crystals behind.
Saji exhaled and wiped sweat from his brow.
But before he could relax—BOOM.
The ground trembled.
A loud roar echoed through the forest.
A minotaur burst from the trees. Ten feet tall, its skin was bronze, and in its hand was a massive stone axe stained with blood.
Saji narrowed his eyes.
"Guess I'm not done yet."
He clenched his fists. Sparks crackled from his knuckles.
---
To Be Continued…